Page 15 - link magazine

swindonlink.com • August 2012 15
Isambard plans to create North Swindon
places by bidding to Government to open
a free school with post-16 facilities
The increasing demand for secondary education in North Swindon
has prompted Isambard School headteacher Rachael Mattey and its
governors to set the ball rolling on a bid for a brand new free school
to serve the surrounding community and ensure that more children www.oops-a-daisy-childcare.co.uk
can access school without going by car or bus. Oops-a-Daisy Childcare is the alternative to traditional childminding
Commenting on her team’s and nursery care, situated within Kembrey Business Park, Swindon
course of action Rachael said: • High quality day care from 2 months to 5 years (No enrolment fee)
“Swindon Borough Council • Fees inclusive of nappies (under 2s), meals, drinks and outings
are aware of a need for school • Full and part-time sessions available • Free government funded sessions
places in this area, but not as • Holiday club with fun outings and home-cooked meals
soon as we perceive it, which • Complimentary mini-bus pick-ups and drop-offs throughout North Swindon
is 2014.” • After school pick-ups from Red Oaks & Orchid Vale Primary Schools
About 200 free schools have Call Deborah on 07867 502489 or 01793 490893 to find out more
been granted approval since
the government announced
its Partnerships for Schools
policy to enable more choice
for parents and more power
for teachers.
Schools like this are cre-
ated by groups of parents,
teachers, charities or faith
organisations, and, as David Rachel Mattey with a group of Year 11 leavers
Cameron sees it, are key to pictured in the June Link
transforming the education system “Our next steps are to show the
and driving up standards. demand for the school, identify
However, Rachael sees a more possible sites and set out our vi-
pragmatic need for a free school in sion for its curriculum and staffing
North Swindon. She said: “Local requirements.”
parents are really worried about Consultations to gauge demand
where their children go to school, for further 0 to 19 provision in the
and would rather not put them on area, including a sixth form college,
a bus, sometimes two, to get there. will begin in the autumn.

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